Anglim Private Health is a private GP surgery in Bury St Edmunds. We can offer treatments which may be restricted on the NHS and can offer access to appointments quickle and easily
Influenza can be a horrible illness. It is a big step up from a cold and will often deliver fevers which are worse, last longer and impact your life more than a standard cold. It is not that common, with the average adult getting it just once or twice per decade; but when you get it you will likely feel very unwell.
The main symptoms of the flu are the same as a cold with:
- Fever
- Coughing
- Sore throat
- Runny or blocked nose
- Muscle aches
- Headache and
- Fatigue
You can sometimes get vomiting and diarrhoea with influenza.
Most the time symptoms last from a few days to a couple of weeks, but sometimes there are complications. Serious complication include pneumonia, muscle breakdown (Rhabdomyolysis) or brain irritation (encephalitis) and these can make you very unwell. The serious cases are rare.
How to prevent flu
The very best way to prevent flu and serious episodes of the flu is with the flu vaccination. A nasal liquid of live vaccine for children and an injection of altered flu for adults. They reduce the number of cases of flu and if you are unlucky enough to still get flu it’ll reduce the severity of the illness.
What abiout treatment during the illness?
There is treatment available. Tamiflu was the original treatment, but there are a couple of different options available. The NHS limits treatment to individuals who have serious illnesses, but Anglim Private Health can prescribe it to anyone who has the flu. To access Tamiflu or other flu treatments you must:
- Have flu symptoms
- Have an appointment with Anglim Private Health as soon as possible through the illness
- Have a positive test for flu, which can be done while you wait.
Then we can discuss the treatment and prescribe it if needed. The key message is the treatment is most effective when taken as early as possible in the illness. The treatment reduces the duration of the illness AND makes the symptoms less severe. And you can also take over the counter treatments to try to improve your symptoms.
Luckily at Anglim Private Health we are able to offer appointments very quickly to those who want to consider flu treatment. Meaning you can be seen the same day or next day and have the test and prescription immediately.
If you want to book an appointment you can book online, or call 01284 245665 now.